WARRENTON, Ore. — The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the fishing vessel Adrianna which went aground approximately one-half mile south of the entrance to Grays Harbor, Wash., Friday morning.

A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria responded to the grounded 44-foot fishing vessel where they delivered and assisted the three-man crew in using a the pump to remove water entering the vessel from damage caused during the grounding.

At approximately 3:20 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a report over VHF marine radio channel 16, from the crew of the Adrianna stating that they had run aground on the sandy beach just south of the Grays Harbor South Jetty. It was also reported by the vessel master that a “crewmember fell asleep at the wheel”.

“Fatigue continues to be a major problem in the commercial fishing fleet. We’ve had numerous cases of people running aground due to fatigue over the last year,” said Capt. Bruce Jones, commander, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “In the Pacific Northwest, there’s little margin for error. It’s absolutely critical that mariners always remain diligent and place sufficient emphasis on safety in order to protect life and our sensitive environment.”

Coast Guard air and boatcrews responded where the helicopter crew lowered a dewatering pump to the vessel and then landed on the nearby beach to assist in the pumps operation. The boatcrew was unable to assist the steel-hulled vessel due to the shallow water depth. However, Station Grays Harbor personnel organized a beach team and reached the vessel by foot.

The beach team is standing by to assist the crew members if they request to disembark. The captain of the vessel has set the anchors and the crew elected to stay aboard the vessel at this time.

No injuries have been reported, and the crew of the vessel plans to stay aboard and refloat at high tide, approximately 2:30 p.m. today.

The Coast Guard is consulting with the Washington Department of Ecology in response to the pollution potential of the grounded vessel. A pollution investigator from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, located in Portland, Ore., is on scene to monitor the situation and will develop a salvage plan in order to mitigate any potential harm to the environment.

The Adrianna reportedly has 1,200 gallons of diesel fuel on board; however, there have been no reports of pollution at this time.

The cause of the incident is under investigation and the Coast Guard will conduct drug tests on all crewmembers.